Martin Havlat Acquired For Dany Heatley

Czech Forward Averaged 23 Goals In Last Three Seasons

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has acquired forward Martin Havlat from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Dany Heatley.

Havlat, 30, posted 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 78 regular season games, which tied for the team lead. He also tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (four) and led the team in shots (229).

The 10-year veteran has posted 512 points (209 goals, 303 assists) in 621 regular season games with Minnesota, Chicago and Ottawa. He has added 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 67 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, including 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in his last 26 postseason contests.

Havlat is a former NHL All-Star (2007) and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2001. Internationally, he has represented the Czech Republic at the Olympics (2010), the World Cup (2005), the World Championships (2004, 2000) and the World Junior Championship (2000).

“Marty is a player that we have had an interest in for a long time,” Wilson said. “He can play either wing and brings creativity and breakaway speed to our group of top-six forwards. We are excited about the versatility he adds to our lineup.”

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound native of Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic was originally selected by Ottawa in the first round (26th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Heatley, 30, appeared in 162 games for San Jose in two seasons posting 146 points (65 goals, 81 assists).

“When players that we have targeted become available, you need to be able to react quickly and you also have to pay a price in order to acquire them,” Wilson said. “When we made the Brent Burns trade, we knew we still needed to address our speed up front and we think the acquisition of Marty does that.

“We truly appreciate everything that Dany brought to our organization,” Wilson added. “He is a tremendous professional and we wish him the best.”